Stow Packhorse Bridge
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Located beside the Gala Water, Stow of Wedale, or simply Stow, is a Scottish village seven miles north of Galashiels. The name "Stow" is thought to be derived from an Anglic word meaning either "holy place" or "fort" whilst "Wedale" is thought to be derived from the words "Wiche" meaning shrine and "Dahl" meaning valley. Another explanation is that "Wedale" means "Dale of Woe" commemorating, according to local folklore, a battle fought there by King Arthur. Wedale itself is an old name for the vale of the Gala Water, first attested in the 12th century.
Stow was built around the Church of St Mary which was consecrated in 1242. The pack-horse bridge was constructed by public subscription around 1650 with a low parapet to allow burdened horses to cross in safety. Since it was the lowest bridging point on the Gala Water/Tweed river complex it was this bridge which gave Stow its early prosperity. The bridge was restored by Scottish Borders Council in 2002.
In the nineteenth century Stow was important in the woollen and agricultural industries but the decline in both results in Stow being a dormitory village for Edinburgh and the borders towns.
Other packhorse bridges in Scotland are at Glenlivet and at Carrbridge.
By road: Off A7, immediately south of Station Road.
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Hinchcliffe, Ernest, Guide to the Packhorse Bridges of England, Cicerone Press, ISBN-10: 1852841435 (1994)
Lewis, Carenza, Village, Hamlet and Field: Changing Medieval Settlements in Central England, Windgather Press, ISBN-10: 0953863034 (2001)
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Forgotten Relics - Listed Bridges and Viaducts